VFX Break the clutter; choose quality over quantity! -

Break the clutter; choose quality over quantity!

The current culture or societal norm for the internet is quantity over quality.  To produce as much content as one can as fast as one can and to overload people’s social media streams with their content to make sure they’re ever present with the (supposed) target audience or customers.

Much like hawkers in the marketplace competing for the attention of the passerby, everyone is yelling and calling out in order to gain the (potential) customer’s attention. They’re all offering giveaways, deals, promoting themselves; it’s hard to stay relevant when so many guys are out there with megaphones and large colourful banners. The loudest person wins 9 out of 10 times, and it’s those individuals or companies who know how to attract that attention who will continue to stay in business when the economic tides turn.

Even though there is some truth to this statement, but as an artist (out there in the business) it’s not one that you should prescribe to entirely; because when you’re solely focused on producing massive amounts of content it’s your work’s quality that often suffers.

Here are just some of thoughts on why one should be focused on the quality of the work rather than rushing through everything to gain an attention:

In regards to animation: It’s a craft pure and simple.  It takes a very long time to understand the very basics and fundamental principles of timing and spacing. Mastering the art of time, space and applying different artistic mediums and stylings to it takes a lifetime.

Like fine wine (or whiskey) great work takes time:  It takes a while for the wheat, corn or fruit to ferment and develop aromas and body.  Export it too soon and you’ll taste something incredibly bitter and nasty. You’ve got to let it go through the process. Some of the tastiest (and most expensive) drinks take decades to create. As one develops in his/her artistic journey, in their business, or life in general, you’ll notice that every day you get better at doing something. For me, it’s been writing. I wasn’t always the best writer, but because I’m doing it every day I’m constantly improving how I communicate with people and how I explain things to my colleagues.

Respect your art: Taking the time to carefully craft your work shows how much you actually care about the artform. Again, it’s a craft and it takes time to perfect. Slow down, really build yourself up, and learn from the masters, treat the medium with reverence and it will show you a fascinating worldview.

Accept challenges: At the studio, doing the easiest job helps pay the bills but it doesn’t help one get better or grow artistically. One is constantly seeking the biggest project one can find, the one that’ll really push his/her abilities as an artist and a leader to the edge.  Always seek to raise your own personal bar. You’ll be surprised at how high you can go.

In this wonderful world of media and entertainment, when it comes down to it, you’re only as good as your last project. In the case of animation, it’s your last shot. Our industry bases its value on the last thing you produced. If your last project was shitty (pardon my French), then you’ll constantly be doing crappy work.  It’s like building your demo reel, what you showcase on your reel really translates to “this is the kind of work I want to keep doing.”  Always seek to put out your best work.

Our industry is in this perverse flux for quantity and quality but rarely do those two paths meet in a harmonious partnership. Each is always fighting for dominance and usually quality is what loses most of the time. Television shows and the internet are reflecting that notion as well, which needs to change.

When all is said and done, whether it was a paid project or not; if your work isn’t something you’re proud of, if you think it’s not up to where you want it to be, would you put your name on it?

Well, now that’s some food for thought!

VFX